11 College Admissions Myths

In this podcast summary I’ll highlight four of the eleven myths discussed in this episode of Inside the Admissions Office. The hosts asked former admissions officers from Dartmouth, Brown, Johns-Hopkins, Bowdoin, the University of Chicago, and the University of Michigan about these myths, and reported the consensus. As always, the episode is linked below so you can listen to the entire episode.

Myth 3: There are stereotypical extracurricular activities you should avoid

False. Any extracurricular activity can be beneficial to a student’s chance of admissions if the student is passionate about and committed to the activity. It’s about quality and dedication over quantity of hours.

Myth 5: A high SAT score is all you need to get into college

False. Great SAT scores will help you when they are above the median score for that college or university. But if you are applying to a school where every candidate has high SAT scores, you’ll need more than the scores. Your grades, the rigor of the courses you take, and your AP scores will often be more important than your SAT score.

Myth 6: Colleges consider family finances when deciding to admit you

True at many colleges. Many colleges consider whether or not your family will be able to pay when they are deciding to admit you. These colleges are referred to as “need aware.” Colleges that do not consider family finances in admissions decisions (often the most competitive schools) are referred to as “need blind.” You can Google this information for any school.

Myth 10: You have to be well-rounded, excelling in every area

False. This was the case a few decades ago, but is no longer the case. Colleges are looking to create a well-rounded student body rather than having each student be well-rounded. You will stand out if you excel in 1-2 areas and bring something to the campus or community that is unique. However, students should have some diversity in their academics and extracurricular activities.